takeover

1 of 2

noun

take·​over ˈtāk-ˌō-vər How to pronounce takeover (audio)
Synonyms of takeovernext
: the action or an act of taking over

take over

2 of 2

verb

took over; taken over; taking over; takes over

transitive verb

: to assume control or possession of or responsibility for
military leaders took over the government

intransitive verb

1
: to assume control or possession
2
: to become dominant

Examples of takeover in a Sentence

Noun The government experienced a military takeover in 2002. the new government's high-handed takeover of private industries Verb I'll take over for her until she gets back from her morning break. took over the responsibility of caring for the animals
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Juliette Pavy / Bloomberg via Getty Images Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that an American takeover of Greenland would mark the end of NATO. CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026 On Monday, Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned an American takeover of Greenland would spell the end of NATO. Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
Then Taylor takes a turn, and then the brass takes over. Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 12 Jan. 2026 If the woman didn’t say the right thing to qualify as a mesh plaintiff, the operator would sometimes coach her about the right answer before transferring the call to 1000 Corporate Drive where Vince’s stateside smile-and-dial telemarketers took over. Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for takeover

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1910, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1618, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of takeover was in 1618

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Takeover.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/takeover. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

take over

verb
(ˈ)tā-ˈkō-vər
: to get control or possession of or responsibility for something
takeover
ˈtā-ˌkō-vər
noun

Legal Definition

takeover

noun
take·​over ˈtāk-ˌō-vər How to pronounce takeover (audio)
: the acquisition of control or possession (as of a corporation)
a hostile takeover

More from Merriam-Webster on takeover

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